News

6:00 am

Tue December 17, 2013

Governor Pence Announces New State Auditor

Evansville Republican Suzanne Crouch says her new job as Indiana State Auditor is the “best of all worlds.” Governor Mike Pence Monday announced Crouch will replace Dwayne Sawyer, who abruptly resigned last month.

Governor Mike Pence and new state auditor Suzanne Crouch

Credit Brandon Smith

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Listen to Brandon Smith's story about Suzanne Crouch, Indiana's new State Auditor.

Crouch is an eight-year veteran of the Indiana House. When she officially takes office January 2nd she will become the third state auditor in five months. Her predecessor, Dwayne Sawyer, resigned after only four months in office, citing personal and family reasons.

Governor Pence says Crouch was not a candidate for the position last time, nor did she ever approach his office about the job. But he says as a former Vanderburgh County auditor and commissioner, she is uniquely qualified for the role.

Crouch says she was surprised to get Pence’s call but that she and her husband decided this was the next step for her in public service.

“This is a unique opportunity to not only serve the entire state of Indiana but also to work with those bodies of government that I have been involved with and cherished the time I spent with them,” Crouch said. “This is an opportunity to work with state government. It’s an opportunity to work with the governor’s office. It’s an opportunity to work with the legislature and with local governments.”

State Democratic Party Chair John Zody says Pence still owes Hoosiers answers regarding of his vetting process for appointments after Sawyer’s sudden resignation. Pence says his process is continually improving but wouldn’t give specifics.